The strong relations between the United States and Japan were on full display as President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House.
President Biden called the alliance “a cornerstone of peace, security, [and] prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and around the world:”
“Just a few generations ago, our two nations were locked in a devastating conflict. It would have been easy to say we remain adversaries, Instead, we made a far better choice: We became the closest of friends.”
That friendship, said President Biden, shares “the same hopes, the same values, the same commitment to democracy and freedom and dignity for all.” He praised Prime Minister Kishida for his condemnation of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and for the billions of dollars in assistance Japan has provided to Ukraine.
He noted how Japan has stood strong with the United States in support of freedom of navigation, including in the South China Sea; and how it has been a partner in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.
“Now our two countries are building a strong defense partnership and a stronger Indo-Pacific than ever before,” said President Biden.
At a news conference with Prime Minister Kishida, President Biden announced the two countries are significantly upgrading their alliance.
“Japan and the United States and Australia will create a networked system of air, missile, and defense architecture. We’re also look forward to standing up a trilateral military exercise with Japan and the United Kingdom,” he said. “And our AUKUS defense partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom is exploring how Japan can join our work in the second pillar, which focuses on advanced capabilities, including AI, autonomous systems. All told, that represents a new benchmark for our military cooperation across a range of capabilities.”
President Biden also underscored the “robust” economic relations between the United States and Japan, as well as the science and education ties:
“Those ties stretch up to the moon, where two Japanese astronauts will join future American missions, and one will become the first non-American ever to land on the moon.”
Addressing Prime Minister Kishida, President Biden said, “Through our partnership, we have strengthened this alliance…And now, the U.S.-Japan alliance is a beacon to the entire world.”
